Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian
Model of Fujian
| |
Class overview | |
---|---|
Name | Type 003 Fujian |
Builders | Jiangnan Shipyard |
Operators | People's Liberation Army Navy |
Preceded by | Type 002 Shandong |
Succeeded by | Type 004 |
Planned | 1 |
Building | 1 |
History | |
China | |
Name |
|
Namesake | Fujian province |
Builder | Jiangnan Shipyard |
Laid down | March 2015 – February 2016 |
Launched | 17 June 2022 |
Motto | (Simplified Chinese: 不忘初心、牢記使命):Never forget the original aspiration, remember the founding mission[1][2] |
Status | Sea trials |
Badge | |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Type 003 aircraft carrier |
Displacement | Full load: 80,000–85,000 t (79,000–84,000 long tons) |
Length | Overall: 316 m (1,036 ft 9 in) |
Beam | Overall: 76 m (249 ft 4 in) |
Propulsion | Steam turbines |
Aircraft carried | 50+ |
Aviation facilities | Hangar deck |
Fujian (18; Chinese: 福建舰; pinyin: Fújiàn Jiàn), named after Fujian province, is the third aircraft carrier of the Chinese aircraft carrier programme and the first of the Type 003 class (NATO/OSD Fujian-class CV).[3] It is China's first indigenously designed carrier,[4] and its first capable of catapult-assisted take-offs (CATOBAR); previous Chinese carriers used ski-jumps (STOBAR).[5]
Fujian was built by the Jiangnan Shipyard for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), launched on 17 June 2022, and started sea trials in May 2024.[6] In 2019, analyst Robert Farley believed that Fujian would be the "largest and most advanced aircraft carrier ever built outside the United States".[7]
Design[edit]
Size[edit]
The ship is estimated to be 316 m (1,036 ft 9 in) long, 76 m (249 ft 4 in) wide,[8] and have a full load displacement of 80,000 to 85,000 tons.[4]
The size has been compared to the United States Navy's Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carriers.[9][10]
Aviation[edit]
The flight deck has three electromagnetic catapults (EM catapults) and an angled landing area with arresting gear.[6]
The estimated size air wing is at least 40 fixed-wing aircraft and 12 helicopters. Predicted aircraft models include variants of the Shenyang J-15 fighter, the Shenyang FC-31 fighter, and the Xi'an KJ-600 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.[4]
Machinery[edit]
Fujian is powered by conventional steam turbines and diesel generators.[8] According to Chinese military commentator Song Zhongping, the ship has an integrated power system (IPS).[11]
Development[edit]
Fujian's class was originally designated by observers as Type 002. At the time, the class of the incomplete Shandong was thought to be Type 001A. Shandong was officially confirmed as a Type 002 during commissioning in December 2019. After that, observers began referring to the incomplete Fujian as Type 003.[12]
The ship was originally intended to use steam catapults.[12] In 2013, PLAN Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo reported she would use EM catapults;[13] EM catapults prototypes were observed in 2012.[14] The change to EM catapults likely explains the increase in size from previous Chinese carriers.[12]
Construction began in the mid-2010s. The National Interest reported it began March 2015.[15] The Diplomat reported that "initial work" began in February 2016, with Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard Group receiving a notice to proceed in March 2017.[16] Work was reportedly delayed in June 2017 by EM and steam catapult tests.[17] By November 2017, work had resumed after the PLAN reportedly developing an IEP system to power the EM catapults.[18][19][20] The first prefabricated block modules were placed into the dry dock in July 2020, and most of the keel and base hull blocks were in place by early September 2020.[12] The superstructure was installed by July 2021.[21][22]
External image | |
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Officially released images of Fujian during sea trials, May 2024 (Internet Archive) |
Fujian was launched on 17 June 2022.[8] Like previous Chinese carriers, she was named for a province according to PLAN naming regulations.[23] Western media noted that Fujian province was opposite to Taiwan across the Taiwan Strait.[24][25][26] Power and mooring tests started in April 2023.[8] Catapult testing started in November 2023.[27] Aircraft mockups were also used.[28]
Fujian started sea trials in May 2024. The first occurred from 1 to 8 May.[29][6]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
Citations[edit]
- ^ "中國第三航母 「福建艦」閃亮下水". Sing Tao (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 18 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ "清华大学战略与安全研究中心-中国论坛". Center for International Security and Strategy Tsinghua University. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ "China". www.oni.navy.mil. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
- ^ a b c Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment 2023, p. 71.
- ^ Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment 2023, p. 70.
- ^ a b c Rahmat, Ridzwan (16 May 2024). "Special Report: China gears up third carrier for more enduring operations despite flight deck flaw". Janes. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
- ^ Farley, Robert (10 May 2019). "The Significance of China's Second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier". The Diplomat. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- ^ a b c d "How Advanced Is China's Third Aircraft Carrier?", Center for Strategic and International Studies, retrieved 25 May 2024
- ^ Funaiole, Matthew P.; Jr, Joseph S. Bermudez; Hart, Brian (15 June 2021). "China's Third Aircraft Carrier Takes Shape". CSIS.
- ^ Chen, Frank (28 May 2019). "Third PLA carrier could be China's Kitty Hawk". Asia Times. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- ^ "福建艦象徵國產航母實現跨越式發展". 香港文匯報. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
- ^ a b c d Joe, Rick (29 September 2020). "003 and More: An Update on China's Aircraft Carriers". The Diplomat. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ "Chinese aircraft carrier should narrow the gap with its U.S. counterpart". english.peopledaily.com.cn. People's Daily. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
- ^ "简氏:中国试飞改进型歼-15 或用于测试电磁弹射器_《参考消息》官方网站". Cankaoxiaoxi.com. Archived from the original on 2 December 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- ^ "China's Next Aircraft Carrier: Everything We Know (So Far)". The National Interest. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
- ^ "China Kicks Off Construction of New Supercarrier". The Diplomat. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
- ^ "China Explores Electromagnetic Carrier Launch System". AIN online. 6 July 2017.
- ^ Minnie Chan (1 November 2017). "Breakthrough to power most advanced jet launch system on China's second home-grown aircraft carrier". South China Morning Post.
- ^ "China's New Aircraft Carrier to Use Advanced Jet Launch System". The Diplomat. 1 November 2017.
- ^ Johnson, Reuben F (2 November 2017). "China claims to have developed conventionally powered electromagnetic catapult". Jane's 360.
- ^ "China's third aircraft carrier could launch this year but still needs jets". 16 July 2021.
- ^ Rick Joe (4 August 2021). "A Tale of 2 Navies: India and China's Current Carrier and Escort Procurement". The Diplomat. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ Newdick, Thomas (17 June 2022). "China Launches The Fujian, Its Most Capable Aircraft Carrier Yet (Updated)". The Drive.
- ^ Martin Quin Pollard (18 June 2022). "China launches third aircraft carrier, named after province opposite Taiwan". Reuters. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
- ^ Sinéad Baker (17 June 2022). "China launches its 3rd aircraft carrier, naming it after the province directly facing Taiwan". Business Insider. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
- ^ "China launches new aircraft carrier in bid to catch up with US capability". Financial Times. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
- ^ Trevithick, Joseph (27 November 2023). "China's New Aircraft Carrier Begins Catapult Testing". The Drive.
- ^ Reporter, Aadil Brar China News (3 January 2024). "China releases new images of third aircraft carrier Fujian". Newsweek. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ Zhao, Ziwen (8 May 2024). "Smooth sailing for China's Fujian aircraft carrier as it finishes first sea trial". South China Morning Post.
Sources[edit]
- Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment 2023. London: The International Institute for Strategic Studies. ISBN 978-1-03-259444-6.